Effective Strategies to Save Money on Your Dream Wedding

Mitchel Reisinger
Jan 1
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

In the end of this blog post you will have a full understanding between a small vs large wedding and which one is best for you.

Interment weddings/small wedding can be best defined by a guest count of 50 or less while a larger wedding usually has a guest count of 150 guests or more. While the amount of guests is one of the most noticeable differences between the two there are several other factors.

Here are the pros of having a smaller wedding that you may have not thought of while planning.

Cheap overall- Here are just a few things that you will be saving money on if you did a smaller wedding . Here is a list I have created that is cost effective thing that you can adjust if you are trying to lower you wedding venue cost.

Here are a few thing that you could adjust to help your wedding fit your budget.

Wedding Venue: $1000-$4000:Smaller venues or private spaces often available

Catering-$2000-$5000: Includes food and beverages for 50 Guest

Photography/videography- $1000-$3000: Packages very by professional and experience and services

Attire-$500-$2000-wedding dress, suitand accessories

Decoration & flowers: $500-$1500: Includes floral arrangements and table decor

Entertainment: $500-$1500 DJs, live musician's other entertainment

Miscellaneous$300-$1000 invitations, favors and Officiants ,fees ,permits

Total average:5,800-18,0000

have water or juice, Rather then having alcohol options

the season of your wedding

use Digital invitations

simply the menu

The amount of guest: when having a larger wedding it's very difficult to connect with your guest and may only be able to talk to 50% of your guest while a smaller wedding has a fewer guest count you will be able to connect longer and have more meaningful connections.

Here an average range on what a venue cost based on guest for the following:

Guest size ranging in the 1-50 guest it cost anywhere from $500-$2,500

Guest size ranging in the 51-150 guest it cost anywhere from $2500-$7000

Guest size ranging in the 151-300 guest it cost anywhere from $7,000-$15,000

Guest size ranging in the 300 + guest it range from 15,000 and up

Location of the wedding

Having smaller guest count could have more flexible on where and what venue you choose: I found a list with the average cost of a wedding would be based on Region:

according to Lastcost.com Here are the rate for the following regions areas.

Northeast Region $300-$12,000

Midwest Region $1000-$6,000

South region $800-$7000

West Region $2000=$15,000

Mountain West Region $1,200 - $8,000

Having your own transportation-According to the knot couple spend $1075 on transportation

Marriage License- you can save money if you are on a Low-income waivers or Military or veteran discount.

officiant fee- Get quotes from 3-5 officiant and see which one support your needs, choose and off peak season time.

Use outside resources I would also use Facebook groups to find special vender and different rates or ask other brides.

Invitations and stationery

One of the other key thing I would look for If I was trying to save a bride more money for wedding and or give her any suggestions I would add the following things:

-Book during off-peak season: Late fall and winter months often have the lower rates.

-Avoid major holidays such as Christmas and Valentine's Day.

-I would book your wedding venue spot at least 12-18 months in advance.

If I were looking for another way to save money, I would buy and make my own food:

such as the following appetizers. Here are just a few that are on the budget-friendly side.

Homemade bruschetta bar coming in at approximately $3-4 per person
Build your own cheese and charcuterie boards coming in at approximately $5-7 per person
Homemade mushrooms with breadcrumb filling is around $2-3 per person

Now let's dig into the full-course meals, which are our favorite, right?